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Things to Do in the Galapagos Islands
Beides scuba diving and bird-watching, which are the number one and two activities for which the Galapagos Islands are famous, there are tons of other exicting things to do on the islands. 97% of the Galapagos Islands are protected by the Galapagos National Park, so anyone who comes here can't help learning about nature, wild animals, and yes, a little bit about evolution. How can you help it? Here we've broken down some of the more popular activities into specific destinations and particular details, and we've also hilighted a few off-the-beaten-track things to do, just in case you get tired of viewing all those rare species of birds, iguanas, and sea lions.
Go Surfing
If you visit the island of San Cristobal, you will find the ultimate wave near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Ride the waves with an audience of rare birds and marine iguanas, and you'll have one day of surfing you'll never forget.
Go for Nightlife in Puerto Ayora
The port town of Puerto Ayora, with a population of 6000, has a more sophisticated scene than other towns on the Galapagos Islands. Of course that is not to say it even comes close to resembling the hustle and bustle, glam and glitter of big-city nightlife. No, this is casual nighclubs and dancing, tropical style. Puerto Ayora has a higher standard of living than other residential areas in the Galapagos, and consequently, it's more expensive than even some places on the mainland. However, this is a fine place to spend an extra day, if you have it, snorkeling by day and dancing by night.
See the Albino Tortoise at the Charles Darwin Research Center
The Tortoise Rearing Center at the Charles Darwin Research Center in Puerto Ayora is arguably the most important part of the Center. Here, they raise tortoises in pens, nurturing this giant and people-friendly species back from near-extinction. The Giant Tortoises used to cover the islands of the Galapagos, roaming for food, in great numbers...it's estimated that there were once a quarter of a million of them in the Galapagos. Years and years of hunting by humans, loss of habitat, and lethal dangers from introducted species like pigs, reduced the giant tortoise population drastically. Best of all for tourists, there is an albino giant tortoise here. He lives indoors at all times because of his sensitivity to the sun, but if you ask the staff at the Center, they will let you see him!
Visit Tortoises in their Natural Habitat
A mere day drip from Puerto Ayora lies the El Chato Tortoise Reserve. The first sign you'll see of the these giant creatures will be the destruction they leave in their path. Tortoise-width swathes of crushed vegetation can be seen trailing in every direction, as the giants slowly bulldoze their way through the jungle. If you get close to one, you'll discover that he's not as friendly as his cousins at the Darwin Research Center. Go with a guide (actually, you are required to do so), because he or she will know where to find the shy creatures. Expect to hike, so bring good shoes and plenty of water.
Visit the Tunnel of Endless Love
On Santa Cruz you'll find tons and tons of lava tubes, which are the cooled, hardened products of flowing magma from the earth millions of years ago, found everywhere on the Galapagos. Bellavista has the best lava tunnel, called the Tunnel of Endless Love because there is a heart-shaped hole in the roof of the tunnel. Even without the heart phenomenon, this particular tunnel is worth visiting because of its sheer size.
Watch Galapagos' Best Surf the Waves at Playa Cabo del Horno
There's a short trail leading from the Cerro de las Tijeretas on Ilsa San Cristobal, which leads to Playa Cabo del Horno. This trail leads to a quaint sandy beach bordered with mangroves. The current is too strong here for swimming, but the reason to visit is because if you climb up on the lava formations you get the best view on the island of Punta Carola. Punta Carola is where expert surfers catch waves, so grab a lava tube, sit back, and enjoy the show.
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